Corn farmers in Ilocos Norte [Philippines] received very low income from corn due to low yield and high production costs

Both yellow and white or glutinous corn varieties are continuously being grown by small farmers in Ilocos Norte despite limited farm areas. Yellow corn is a very important livestock feed ingredient in livestock while the white variety is used by cornick processors in the province.Despite the advances in corn production technologies, Ilocos farmers had very low technology access, hence, their production and income remained very low. Julian et al. (MMSU) conducted a farm level survey to determine the economics of corn industry, the area planted and volume of production and assess the demand and supply of corn in the province. Findings of the study revealed the following: The total corn area in Ilocos Norte was at 12,320 ha in 2005. About 7,200 ha (58%) were devoted to yellow corn and 5,120 ha (42%) were planted to white varieties. Yellow corn production was 35,116t or 70% of the total 49,988t of corn produced in 2005. The production of white corn was about 14,872t. Actual demand (45,562.05t) for yellow corn exceeded supply. For white corn, the supply slightly exceeded demand (11,811.95t). On a per farm basis, the area devoted to yellow corn averaged 0.385ha with mean yield of 4.88t/ha. The gross income averaged P37,656. With very high cost of P27,396, the average net cash income of farmers was only P10,260/ha. The area planted to white corn averaged 0.45ha with mean yield of only 2.9t/ha. White corn production was more expensive at an average production cost of P28,297/ha with gross income of only P27,718 in 2005, the farmers incurred losses. Corn farmers in Ilocos Norte were constrained by high production costs and low yield level despite the technological advances in the commodity. As such, Julian et al. recommended that concerned government authorities should exert efforts to enhance farmers' access to appropriate corn production technologies and support services. Government strategies should be able to help improve the productivity and income of individual farmers and sustain the requirements of the business sectors particularly the feed manufacturing and the cornick processing industries in Ilocos Norte.